Huskies seek first true road victory

Through the seventh game of its season, the Washington men's basketball team has only conducted one true road game, with three "away" games taking place on a neutral court in the Great Alaska Shootout.

With its generous schedule, the No. 16 Huskies have started 6-1, the program's best start since the 1997-98 squad that went to the Sweet Sixteen.

The one loss, however, came in their only true road contest at Gonzaga.

Washington will hit the road again this weekend, traveling to Los Angeles to face Loyola Marymount University, a 5-1 West Coast Conference squad in search of some respect, at 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

"Last time we were on the road, we didn't do very well," coach Lorenzo Romar said, referencing Washington's 99-87 loss to the Bulldogs. "There's no reason to look over Loyola."

And while the game may technically be a "road" game, it will be a trip home for junior forward Bobby Jones, who grew up 15 minutes from LMU.

"Hopefully we can get a win," said Jones, who expects a large group of supporters at the game. "I'm going to make it the best situation I can. It's going to be my little Christmas."

Physically, it has been a bumpy early season for the Huskies. Brandon Roy continues to serve his four to six week injury diagnosis and both junior Mike Jensen and senior Hakeem Rollins have been hobbled by injuries.

Senior guard Will Conroy has a distinct shoe mark on the right side of his head thanks to a San Diego State player who, in the Huskies' last game, accidentally landed feet-first on his head after he had fallen to the floor

"I blacked out -- that was crazy," Conroy said. "I think I'm cool now, except for a big melon on the back of my head."

With the exception of Roy, all the Huskies are expected to participate against LMU, and despite having No. 12 North Carolina State on the horizon Dec. 19, Husky players insist that they cannot let up on LMU.

"I treat every game like it's a championship game," said junior guard Nate Robinson, who leads the Huskies in scoring with 21.7 points per game. "You've got to bring your 'A' game every day. We're practicing hard, and we're playing hard."

Oddly enough, Robinson still has not faced an injury this season, despite his tendency to sacrifice his body and having a steadfast policy to play basketball with no limits.

"You've got to treat every game like it's your last -- like it's your last day on earth," he said.

Junior guard Brandon Roy continues to improve after a successful surgery to repair a torn right meniscus. For the past three days, Roy has been riding a bike and swimming without any swelling problems.

Roy said that as of yesterday, he was about "50-50" to play in the tilt with No. 12 North Carolina State Dec. 19, but erred on the side of caution for a quick comeback.

"NC State is a possibility, but it is day-to-day," he said.

Roy added that while it is hard to watch from the bench, he does not want to rush back to the court and risk another injury.